Michael Sheen OBE with WCVA Chief Executive Ruth
Marks

Michael Sheen OBE has accepted the role of honorary President of
WCVA and will play an important part in the public work of the lead
national body for the third sector in Wales.

WCVA last year undertook a strategic review of its work, and
following consultation with its members and partners, produced a
vision for the third sector and volunteering to thrive and improve
well-being for all.

Michael has an active interest in the social economy and is
deeply involved in a number of organisations and initiatives
through his personal philanthropy, advocacy and campaigning work.
Michael is also Patron/Ambassador of many great third sector
organisations, including his role as UNICEF UK Ambassador, Patron
of Social Enterprise UK, Streetfootball Wales, Credit Unions Wales,
End Youth Homelessness Cymru and many important local organisations
in his home county of Neath Port Talbot.

He has campaigned and advocated on issues including
homelessness, housing, fracking, the Future Generations Act and is
a passionate supporter of the NHS and delivery of public and third
sector services, all of which resonate clearly with WCVA's
strategic direction.

The Neath Port Talbot resident has won numerous awards for his
screen and theatre work. It was widely announced late last year
that he was to get more involved with local activism in his home
town of Port Talbot, building on the unforgettable production
(2011) of The Passion with the National Theatre Wales which engaged
hundreds of volunteers and attracted thousands more to the
town.

On accepting the role, Michael Sheen said: 'I
am immensely proud of the incredible work delivered by individuals,
organisations and communities across Wales in the third sector
and I hope that by taking up the role of honorary
President I can lend my voice to the sector, provide some
challenge and get involved!

'I plan to use my role to actively challenge and support WCVA in
their impact and role in supporting the community and keeping us
focussed on what matters locally as well as the need for national
leadership. Together I hope we can champion those
achieving real change in their communities, attract more
sustainable resources and policy support, whilst also raising the
level of ambition for what we can achieve through a social economy
in Wales.'

The President of a charity, not to be confused with that of a
trustee or Board member, is an honorary role usually fulfilled by a
high-profile figurehead. The position holds no legal standing
within the governance of the organisation.

WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks said: 'We
are thrilled that Michael Sheen has agreed to be our President and
very much look forward to working with him as a champion for the
third sector in Wales. His interests resonate strongly with those
of WCVA and the wider sector. WCVA is in the business of
making positive change by connecting, enabling and influencing with
our members and partners. Our new President can help us
achieve this, as he brings a world-wide reputation for championing
fairness, equality, and social justice.'

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WCVA is the national membership organisation for the third sector in Wales. Our vision is for the third sector and volunteering to thrive and improve well-being for all. We aim to achieve this by influencing, connecting and enabling.